Karen Morrison Agility Tip #2 - Building Brilliant Start-lines

Building Brilliant Start-lines

A reliable start-line routine is essential unless you can outrun your dog!

I've had my fair share of struggles building a reliable start-line routine - from having a rock-solid start-line with one dog to an 'understanding' with another than she won't take the first bar until I say so!

We've probably all been there - setting your dog up on the start-line, walking backwards facing your dog with your hand up saying "wait, wait, you wait!" or leading out and your dog suddenly passes you and you take off trying to catch-up after they've self-released.

It's not ideal, everything becomes rushed, and you can be on the backfoot before you even begin.

Before you begin

Before you even begin, you need to have a clear vision in your mind of what your start-line routine is going to look like, and what you are going to accept and not accept in terms of criteria from your dog. Will you accept any foot movement or movement from position, for example. Decide, and then be clear about it.

Once you have a clear vision of your start-line routine and criteria, your training can start. Reflecting back on how I've approached this in the past, and what has worked and not worked, is that you really need to prepare your dog for the situation, outside of the situation.

That means training key concepts such as self-control, disengagement, crate games and boundary games, taking them on the road and generalizing them in different environments, before asking for the behavior in the situation of an agility trial where it can become very challenging for the dog to make the right choices without the understanding and value of the key concepts first.

If you're not successful at home and in training, don't expect the behavior in the ring!

8 Fun Ideas to Proof your Start-line

Here are some of my favorite ways to proof start-lines:

• Throw toys and will your dog hold?
• Lead-out, stop, and then start as if you are releasing your dog without the actual release. Will your dog hold?
• Line your dog up in front of a Tunnel, Tyre or various pieces of equipment that are typical first obstacles where you compete. Can you successfully perform a lead-out?
• On the very first rep of a training session, no toys, no treats, no lead or other props in sight (so no reinforcement). Can you successfully perform a lead-out?
• Loud music playing – can your dog concentrate and maintain his start-line position?
• Play with other dogs while he watches in his crate, then quickly and safely bring him out to the line. Can he hold?
• Can he hold while dogs are working around him? Can you bring him out cold from his crate to the start-line (no warm-up or engagement routine) and he will hold?

How many times has your dog self-released, and you’ve successfully caught him before he took the first jump? Catching the intent and the self-rewarding is important.

About the Author

Karen Morrison has been involved in the sport of dog agility for approximately 10 years. During this time, she has represented her Zone on three occasions at the New Zealand Dog Agility Nationals, competed at the Australian Nationals qualifying for the Jumping Masters final, and made her dog Fate up to an Agility Champion & Grand Jumping Champion. Her two young dogs, Brave & Seeker, have fueled her passion for learning, training and problem solving. Karen enjoys workings with teams at all levels and loves teaching skills. If you would like to find out more about what Karen has to offer check out her website https://www.karenmorrisonagility.com/